BMW to recall over 233,000 cars from China

Beijing: German luxury car-maker BMW will recall over 233,000 vehicles in China due to engine problems while Japanese auto major Toyota will recall 48 Avalon sedans with defective air bags, China's quality watchdog announced today.

BMW China and BMW Brilliance Automotive will recall 232,098 vehicles from June 18 due to engine problems, the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) said. The recall covers vehicles equipped with N52K, N52T and N55 engines, it said. A total of 138,534 vehicles imported by BMW China from June 10 in 2009 to July 30 in 2012 were affected, involving BMW 1, 3, 5, 6, 7 series and X1, X3, X5, X6 and Z4. And 93,564 vehicles of BMW 3 and 5 series produced by BMW Brilliance from November 7 in 2009 to June 6 in 2013 will be recalled.

The recall is due to defects in the bolts at the shell of VANOS, a valve timing system, which may loosen or crack. The companies will replace faulty bolts free of charge. Meanwhile, Toyota Motor (China) Investment Co. Ltd. will recall 48 Avalon cars from April 26 due to defective air bags, the AQSIQ said separately.

The recall covers Avalon vehicles produced between July 1, 2002 and May 6, 2003, it said. The recall is triggered by insufficient electromagnetic wave resistance of the air bag ECU, which could cause an air bag launch during driving or seat belt preloader error. The company will repair affected cars' faulty parts free of charge. China is the world's largest car market.

Nearly 22 million vehicles were sold in China last year, registering 13.9 per cent growth in sales.